FSRA Formally Recognizes USDT as Fiat-Referenced Token in ADGM

Abu Dhabi’s Global Market (ADGM) is wasting no time signaling how serious it is about regulated crypto infrastructure. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has now recognized USDT on an expanded roster of networks — including Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and Tron — giving licensed firms permission to use the stablecoin within the jurisdiction’s framework.

Tether noted this week that the recognition allows authorized firms in ADGM to offer regulated activities involving USDT across these chains, adding to earlier approvals for Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche. The move effectively puts nearly all major networks supported by Tether’s stablecoin token under the same regulatory umbrella in Abu Dhabi, which continues its bid to pitch itself as an institutional-grade digital-asset center.

Regulators and industry voices seem to agree on one thing: Abu Dhabi is very much in the mood for crypto and blockchain to flourish. The FSRA’s outlook on virtual assets has already advanced considerably for exchanges and custodians, backed by a developing rulebook that treats onchain activity with the same seriousness reserved for traditional finance (TradFi) infrastructure. That approach has helped the city attract heavyweight participants and set itself apart from hubs that lean more heavily into retail traffic.

In a statement, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the UAE “continues to set the global standard for digital asset regulation,” noting that the recognition supports broader collaboration opportunities across the Middle East. Meanwhile, the regulatory reality remains firmly grounded — ADGM has been identifying which networks fit within its rule sets and methodical compliance decisions.

Read more: 8 AI Chatbots Deliver Wildly Different Bitcoin Price Predictions — Which One Nails Dec. 31, 2025?

This latest update also plays into the UAE’s long-term strategy, which pairs strict oversight with an aggressive innovation agenda. Between ADGM’s rulebook and the Hub71 ecosystem — backed by billions in committed Web3 capital — Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a place where institutions can wade into digital assets without fearing regulatory chaos often seen in other jurisdictions.

For firms operating in or targeting the region, the expanded approval means greater interoperability, clearer settlement rails and a broader set of blockchain options that meet the FSRA’s criteria. Whether this ultimately drives meaningful liquidity into the jurisdiction is a question the market will answer next.

FAQ 🇦🇪 🏙️

• What did Abu Dhabi approve?
  ADGM formally recognized USDT as an accepted fiat-referenced token for use across several major blockchains.
• Who can use USDT under this approval?
  Only ADGM-licensed firms can engage in regulated activities involving USDT.
• Why is this significant for the UAE?
  It advances Abu Dhabi’s strategy to build a supervised digital-asset hub with institutional-grade standards.
• Which blockchains are included?
  The approval covers networks such as Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON and Tron, plus earlier approvals for Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche.

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